Committed to Bible Reading – Thursday

My identity as a disciple of Jesus is dependent upon stories, culture, and practices. The stories are given in Scripture. The word of Christ is contained within the Bible, a text that points beyond itself to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Bible must be read, experienced, and understood. And the best place for that to happen is within the culture and practices of the church, the people of God.

As you make Bible reading a daily practice, you will obtain a deeper understanding of the story of Israel and the words and work of Jesus. In this way, the “word of Christ” will come to “live in you richly.” You will grasp more fully the hope of Israel, and will see how Christ himself is the realization of that hope. If you read prayerfully, by the assistance of the Holy Spirit your reading of the Bible should result in a deepening love for God and neighbor.

As the Bible shapes your identity in Christ, Jesus points you to others, to serve, to share, and to witness.

Let the Bible lead me to Christ.
Then, let Christ in me thereby lead others to himself. Amen.